Held at Milton Frank Stadium, the seven-on-seven flag football tournament began Saturday at 9 a.m., when a dozen teams not only vied for the cup but raised money to support HEALS (Health Establishments at Local Schools) Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high quality dental and medical care to disadvantaged children at select Madison County schools.

The entire event, however, wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for Mike Parvin, who combined holiday tradition with a simple concept and a whole lot of determination in just a couple of months.

"She (Parvin's wife) and I were on our way to church one day and she said we needed to do something to help the HEALS Inc. clinic," he said. "I was wondering what can I do, but had an idea."

Every year, Parvin coordinates a tackle football game with a bunch of his pals during Thanksgiving week. He took the idea, stripped away the physical contact and added the fundraiser. But, only one thing was missing.

"When I got to church, Ms. (Pat) Pope was sitting in the pew behind me," he said. "We immediately talked about the idea and told her if I can in some way get Walter (Jones) involved, this thing will explode."

After a few phone calls, Parvin met with Jones at lunch to discuss the possibility of a tournament and agreed to it.

"I don't know why," Parvin joked.

Jones, an Aliceville native and retired offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks who has called Huntsville home for nine years, has donated time and money to Madison Crossroads Elementary and its HEALS Inc. Clinic. To lend both his name and support to the tournament that was to directly benefit the new school clinic seemed to be a natural fit for Jones.

"I thought it was great opportunity," said the nine-time Pro Bowl player, who also took time to sign autographs, take pictures and meet fans and the community Sunday at Milton Frank Stadium. "When you do a charity event like this, the main purpose is for the kids.

"You want to give them an opportunity to have everything else that everybody else has when they go to school," Jones said. "That was the main purpose and main reason I jumped on board."

Jones added that he will definitely be on board next year if the tournament's committee "is committed to doing it again."

Carnes agrees and sees the tournament -- which was sponsored by Huntsville Sports Commission and Booz Allen Hamilton -- growing each consecutive year to include more teams. This year, 12 teams participated, with Team Crush taking the cup.

But one of her top goals, she says, is "to have an absolutely great time."

Walter Jones' Turkey BowlHUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The inaugural Walter Jones' Turkey Bowl kicked off Saturday at Milton Frank Stadium where 12 flag football teams competed for the coveted Turkey Bowl Cup. The championship game was held Sunday at 4 p.m. between team Crush and the Redstone Generals with Crush taking home the trophy. The entire event, which raised more than $20,000, benefitted the new HEALS Inc. clinic at Madison Crossroads Elementary. Jones' flag football team, the Founding Fathers, finished in the third round of the tournament (The Huntsville Times/Sarah Cure).

Sunday's muggy temperature and sporadic showers couldn't dampen the spirits of more than 100 flag football players who competed for the coveted inaugural Walter Jones' Turkey Bowl Cup.

Held at Milton Frank Stadium, the seven-on-seven flag football tournament began Saturday at 9 a.m., when a dozen teams not only vied for the cup but raised money to support HEALS (Health Establishments at Local Schools) Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high quality dental and medical care to disadvantaged children at select Madison County schools.

HEALS Inc. operates four medical clinics and one dental clinic at local schools, including its most recent clinic at Madison Crossroads Elementary, which this year's tournament proceeds will benefit. Connie Carnes, executive director of HEALS Inc., said Sunday about $25,000 in donations has been raised from the tournament, but "there's still more coming in."

The entire event, however, wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for Mike Parvin, who combined holiday tradition with a simple concept and a whole lot of determination in just a couple of months.

"She (Parvin's wife) and I were on our way to church one day and she said we needed to do something to help the HEALS Inc. clinic," he said. "I was wondering what can I do, but had an idea."

Every year, Parvin coordinates a tackle football game with a bunch of his pals during Thanksgiving week. He took the idea, stripped away the physical contact and added the fundraiser. But, only one thing was missing.

"When I got to church, Ms. (Pat) Pope was sitting in the pew behind me," he said. "We immediately talked about the idea and told her if I can in some way get Walter (Jones) involved, this thing will explode."

After a few phone calls, Parvin met with Jones at lunch to discuss the possibility of a tournament and agreed to it.

"I don't know why," Parvin joked.

Jones, an Aliceville native and retired offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks who has called Huntsville home for nine years, has donated time and money to Madison Crossroads Elementary and its HEALS Inc. Clinic. To lend both his name and support to the tournament that was to directly benefit the new school clinic seemed to be a natural fit for Jones.

"I thought it was great opportunity," said the nine-time Pro Bowl player, who also took time to sign autographs, take pictures and meet fans and the community Sunday at Milton Frank Stadium. "When you do a charity event like this, the main purpose is for the kids.

"You want to give them an opportunity to have everything else that everybody else has when they go to school," Jones said. "That was the main purpose and main reason I jumped on board."

Jones added that he will definitely be on board next year if the tournament's committee "is committed to doing it again."

Carnes agrees and sees the tournament -- which was sponsored by Huntsville Sports Commission and Booz Allen Hamilton -- growing each consecutive year to include more teams. This year, 12 teams participated, with Team Crush taking the cup.

But one of her top goals, she says, is "to have an absolutely great time."